Enaim is a location mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Genesis. The name "Enaim" is derived from the Hebrew word meaning "eyes" or "springs," suggesting a place characterized by notable natural features such as springs or wells. Enaim is significant in biblical narratives, particularly in the account of Judah and Tamar.

Biblical References:

1. Genesis 38:14 · Enaim is mentioned in the context of the account of Judah and Tamar. After the death of her husband, Tamar disguises herself as a prostitute and positions herself at Enaim to intercept Judah. The Berean Standard Bible states: "So she removed her widow’s garments, covered herself with a veil to disguise herself, and sat at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the way to Timnah. For she saw that Shelah had grown up, but she had not been given to him as a wife."

2. Genesis 38:21 · The location is again referenced when Judah seeks to find the woman he believed to be a prostitute. The BSB records: "He asked the men of that place, 'Where is the shrine prostitute who was beside the road at Enaim?' 'No shrine prostitute has been here,' they replied."

Geographical Context:

Enaim is described as being "on the way to Timnah," indicating its position along a route leading to this other biblical location. Timnah itself is a site associated with vineyards and agriculture, suggesting that Enaim may have been situated in a fertile region conducive to such activities. The exact location of Enaim is not definitively known today, but it is generally thought to be in the region of ancient Canaan, possibly in the territory later associated with the tribe of Judah.

Cultural and Historical Significance:

The narrative involving Enaim highlights several cultural and social practices of the time, including levirate marriage, widowhood, and the role of women in ancient Near Eastern societies. Tamar's actions at Enaim reflect her determination to secure her rights and future within the family lineage of Judah, which was a critical concern in the patriarchal society of the time.

The account also underscores themes of justice, deception, and redemption, as Tamar's actions ultimately lead to her being vindicated and included in the genealogy of the tribe of Judah, from which King David and, according to Christian tradition, Jesus Christ would descend.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, the events at Enaim illustrate the sovereignty of God in working through human actions, even those that appear morally ambiguous, to fulfill divine purposes. The inclusion of Tamar in the lineage of the Messiah is seen as a testament to God's grace and the unexpected ways in which He accomplishes His plans.

Enaim, therefore, serves as a backdrop for a pivotal moment in biblical history, where personal and divine narratives intersect, leading to significant outcomes in the unfolding account of God's people.ENAIM

e-na'-im (`enayim, "place of a fountain"; Ainan; Genesis 38:14 (the King James Version "in an open place"; Genesis 38:21 the King James Version "openly")):

A place which lay between Adullam and Timnath; probably the same as Enam (Joshua 15:34). Also mentioned in close connection with Adullam. It was in the Shephelah of Judah. The Talmud (Pesik. Rab. 23) mentions a Kephar Enaim. Conder proposes Khurbet Wady `Alin, which is an ancient site, evidently of great strength and importance, lying between Kh. `Ain Shems and the village of Deir Aban. The ruins crown a lofty and almost isolated hill; the greatest objection to the identification is that there is no fountain at all in the immediate neighborhood. There may have been one in earlier times. See PEF, III, 128.

E. W. G. Masterman

5879. Eynayim -- "two springs," a place in Isr.
... Eynayim. 5879a . "two springs," a place in Isr. Transliteration: Eynayim Phonetic
Spelling: (ay-nah'-yim) Short Definition: Enaim. Enaim, openly Genesis 38:21 ...
/hebrew/5879.htm - 5k

5879a. Enayim -- "two springs," a place in Isr.
... Transliteration: Enayim Short Definition: Enaim. Word Origin from ayin Definition
"two springs," a place in Isr. NASB Word Usage Enaim (2). 5879, 5879a. ...
/hebrew/5879a.htm - 5k

Enaim (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ENAIM. e ... It was in the Shephelah of Judah.
The Talmud (Pesik. Rab. 23) mentions a Kephar Enaim. Conder ...
/e/enaim.htm - 8k

Enam (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ENAIM. e ... It was in the Shephelah of Judah.
The Talmud (Pesik. Rab. 23) mentions a Kephar Enaim. Conder ...
/e/enam.htm - 7k

Open (586 Occurrences)
...Enaim; the same probably as Enam (Joshua 15:34), a city in the lowland or Shephelah. ...
The Revised Version (British and American) has corrected; see ENAIM. ...
/o/open.htm - 41k

Road (155 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Genesis 38:14 She took off her widow's clothing, and covering herself with
her veil, she took her seat near Enaim on the road to Timnah; for she saw that ...
/r/road.htm - 37k

Place (9195 Occurrences)
... the Hebrew, the translators having taken bephethach `enayim to mean "in an opening
publicly," instead of "in an opening (ie a gate) of Enaim" (compare Proverbs ...
/p/place.htm - 28k

Wrapped (40 Occurrences)
... Genesis 38:14 She took off of her the garments of her widowhood, and covered herself
with her veil, and wrapped herself, and sat in the gate of Enaim, which is ...
/w/wrapped.htm - 18k

Wayside (16 Occurrences)
... begging. (DBY). Genesis 38:21 Then he asked the men of her place, saying, Where
is the prostitute, that was at Enaim by the wayside? And ...
/w/wayside.htm - 11k

Way-side (10 Occurrences)
... begging. (WEY). Genesis 38:21 And he asked the men of her place, saying, Where
is the prostitute that was at Enaim, by the way-side? And ...
/w/way-side.htm - 9k

Widowhood (5 Occurrences)
... Genesis 38:14 She took off of her the garments of her widowhood, and covered herself
with her veil, and wrapped herself, and sat in the gate of Enaim, which is ...
/w/widowhood.htm - 8k

Timnah (12 Occurrences)
... Genesis 38:14 She took off of her the garments of her widowhood, and covered herself
with her veil, and wrapped herself, and sat in the gate of Enaim, which is ...
/t/timnah.htm - 13k

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